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Thursday, April 12, 2012

Thirsty Thursday: Little Fish, Big Impact

The marine environment faces grave threats from pollution, global changes (including climate), and overfishing. Fisheries are being depleted at an alarming rate, to feed a growing population's taste for fish fillets and sushi. But it is not just the loss of large, carnivorous fish like Salmon that are cause for concern. A recent study by the Lenfest Foundation and Pew Charitable Trusts found that smaller fish, such as anchovies and sardines, play a critical role in providing calories and nutrients for these larger fish. More significantly, the decline in these fish stocks is shaking the foundation of an entire food chain.

An important point to make - this is not just an ocean conservation issue. It is an issue at the core of human existence. Nearly 1 billion people rely on fisheries for their primary protein source, and fisheries form the basis of the livelihoods of about 200 million people.